Sharjah workers to get free health coverage

Sharjah - The authority has already begun communicating with the free zones to roll out the scheme.

Over 90,000 labourers in Sharjah's free zones will soon get free medical insurance, Khaleej Times has learnt. The Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (LSDA) and the Sharjah Health Authority have joined hands to roll out the initiative that will make it mandatory for employers to provide free health cover to labourers in all free zones.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the first Sharjah Labour Welfare Forum on Monday, Salim Yousif Al Qaseer, chairman of the LSDA, said the authority is in communication with health institutions and medical insurance companies to provide the best insurance services to labourers.
The authority has already begun communicating with the free zones to roll out the scheme.
The forum, which was organised by the LSDA under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, featured a series of seminars aimed at building bridges between workers and employers, to increase productivity and achieve social happiness.
The forum witnessed the participation of representatives from government and private sector institutions in the emirate. In addition, it also witnessed the presence of representatives of embassies and labour recruitment offices, who discussed challenges faced by workers and employers alike.
Al Qaseer said: "The importance of the forum lies in the nature of the topics it discusses. Sharjah has been and continues to be a pioneer in the field of labour rights, and the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, encourages us to take care of the working class in the emirate and work towards their betterment, which is reflected in the initiatives carried out by the authority and employers alike. The forum is an effort by the authority to achieve a balance between employers and workers. It will not only ensure their cooperation to achieve and enhance a positive work environment, but will also open up prospects for both parties, and enrich the development of the working community in the emirate.
"We are keen to learn about the main challenges facing the workers, as well as the managers of the companies and institutions in Sharjah, to be able to derive and outline effective mechanisms and strategies to eliminate their problems. As such, we've undertaken varied initiatives to solve their challenges, protect their rights, respect their dignity, in addition to creating sufficient awareness in dealing with the problems of the working community," he added.
Dr Qassem Kanakri, director-general of Tim Bauer Centre in Dubai and an expert on labour laws in the UAE, presented several strategies aimed at enhancing cooperation between government and private sectors and the working community. He discussed the nature of laws currently in force and their ability to serve all parties.
"It is a pleasure to be a part of The Sharjah Labour Welfare Forum. It's a great initiative taken by the Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority, which will position the labour market in Sharjah as the preferred choice of work for employees and employers alike."
Dr Qassem stressed the need to speed up the efforts on developing work standards in the emirate, by maintaining opportunities for development of the work environment. This will not only ensure sustainability and positive participation in the care of workers, but also reduce the incidence of negative cases and establish the speed of dealing with them. It also discussed ways to activate the role of the government and cooperation between employers and government departments.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com  
 

• Sharjah